Man is charged in sex assault on stepdaughter

CHICAGO — A Southwest Side man has been charged with sexually abusing his 20-year-old stepdaughter at knifepoint Christmas morning, authorities said.

Roberto Max, 41, of the 3400 block of West 62nd Street was ordered held in lieu of $350,000 bail by Cook County Court Judge Laura Sullivan on one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Assistant State's Atty. Donna Rizzuto said Max awoke in his home early Christmas morning and went to the bedroom where his stepdaughter was sleeping. He held a kitchen knife to her throat as he fondled her, officials say.

The victim's sister-in-law, who also lives in the home, walked by the room, witnessed the abuse and told the victim's mother, who did not report the incident because she "chose to stand by her husband, the victim's stepfather," Rizzuto said.

The sister-in-law reported Max to police Thursday, and he was arrested. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.